Syracuse Feb. 20, 1849 My esteemed Friend Ann King. - I was deeply interested in your letter, received several weeks ago, I feel the importance of the subject you would press upon my consideration - and am sure that the course, you in- dicate, is the one to be pursued, if we would do any thing [sic] effectually to dis- pel the delusion in which the false glory of war, in its various kinds, has im- mersed the minds and hearts of man. Our whole literature is so full of it, that our children get corrupted before we are aware that they are in danger. Indeed we can hardly find a book, ex- cept it be one written expressly against the custom of war, that is not more or less imbued with the spirit of false glory. The elevation to the presidency of a man whose only merit (known to his country men) is, that he has been a bold, successful warrior - has given to our youth a lesson in favor of violence, which I fear cannot be easily [placed ?] from their minds. - Never the less we

[page break] must try - and there are many in The land, who are determined to put forth renewed exertions in the cause of Peace. - A prize Essay on the Mexican War, perhaps you know, Is about to be published; and meas- ures are adopted to give it the most extensive circulation. But above all we need that the true doctrine on this great subject should be taught in all our schools; and can this be done, un- less we get into all our schools, teach- ers, who are imbued with this doc- trine? I confess, that some times [sic] a feel- ing of discouragement comes over me, in view of the amount of error, that needs to be removed from the public minds, and the apparent insufficiency of the means that we can command to do it. But there again I am en- couarged by the remembrance of what has been done in the cause of Peace; and I say to myself, that the same truth which has made so much prog- ress in the world will, if pressed, go on until it occupied the place, to which

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it is entitled, in the public estimation. Do not, my dear friend, undervalue the importance of your efforts in this behalf. Remember it is' the still small voiceâ in which God speaks most distinctly to the heart of man. I assure you, I am gratified at the assurance your letter gives me of being kindly remembered by yourself, and friend Robinson and Wife. - I remember with great pleas ure my acquaintance with you & them in the most trying times of the Anti slavery reform - and where I see the change, that has been [——] in the public mind, on the subject of Slavery since 1835 - I say we ought not to despair of any cause that has truth on its side - Be kind enough to give my best regards to Rowland T. Rob- inson and wife - and believe me Sincerely your friend Samuel J. May